Arsenal - Could Fabregas Absence Damage Arsenal's Season Further? Can Spurs Capitlaise?

Arsenal fans will undoubtedly agree with me when I say that Cesc Fabregas is one of the greatest Midfield talents the Premier League will see. A domineering Midfielder so comfortable on the ball he can make an experienced crop of Midfielder's look shabby. I think Fabregas is what really makes Arsenal tick, which is why I believe his reoccurring hamstring injury could prove very costly for Arsenal this season. Tottenham fans will be licking their lips when they see big names like Fabregas forced to watch from the sidelines because I feel Arsenal are the only team to stop Spurs breaking into this season's top three.

Will the Fabregas injury continue to stop Arsenal getting into their rhythm? Photo: Football News.

Arsenal's form of late has not been too shabby. The Gunners have taken 12 points from the last 18 available. Arsenal have been traveling very well this season, losing only once away from home. The problems in form have come at the once so strong Emirates Stadium, where they have lost the last two Premier League games and three overall this season. The more notable home loss coming at the hands of North London rivals Tottenham; who I think will take third spot in the Premier League this season. So why has the absence of Cesc Fabregas had such an impact on Arsenal?

Well, Fabregas was missing during Arsenal's shock 3-2 home loss at the hands of West Brom.  Those who saw the match could see how the presence of Fabregas could have changed the match. They lacked a quality final pass and a player to break up the play when they were not in possession. Similarly, away fixtures at Anfield and the Stadium of Light have both been drawn. Granted, these are not disastrous results, but when you have a player who can change a game with one pass it really has an impact on the outcome. He is what Steven Gerrard is to Liverpool in a sense. A leader on the field who's presence alone can lift the whole side to a different level. Lets not forget that Fabregas has got four assists and two goals to his name this season; this despite missing over 600 minutes of Premier League football.

Tottenham have benefited from the fitness of Rafael Van Der Vaart (until his own hamstring injury at the weekend), Luka Modric and the ever-present Gareth Bale; who have formed a large chunk of an exciting, refreshing and very dangerous midfield. Arsenal have had their injury problems, so much so that only two players have made 15 Premier League appearances this season (Chamakh and Arshavin). 

I do certainly feel that Arsenal can win without Fabregas. Saturday's 4-2 win at Villa Park showed this. However, Villa are in far from good shape at the moment, so the real test will come in the bigger fixtures that lie ahead for Arsenal.

Gunners fans must be frustrated at this week's news that no return date can even be predicted for Fabregas. When asked at the weekend Arsene Wenger stated that a return date was "impossible to say". Fabregas himself eluded in the pre-match programme "I don't want to put a date on my return yet, I will take my time,". The only silver lining will be the long-awaited return of Robin Van Persie, who we all know has the potential to make a big impact when it counts.

It wouldn't be football if I didn't stick my neck out and make a prediction. I think that Arsenal will really miss Fabregas, to the point that I believe it will cost them third place. I realise the magnitude of such a statment and I welcome the opinions of football fans who may agree or disagree, that is what the game is all about! Spurs are looking stronger and stronger and will have been given a huge lift following the victory at the Emirates. Arsenal's beautiful football is tainted when Fabregas is absent. If Tottenham's really big performers can stay injury free they will finish above Arsenal. It makes for a very interesting second half of the season, but Arsenal fans will be praying that Fabregas' hamstring heals much sooner than many fear.

DH